Why in the News?
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is revising the Sarnath plaque to credit the Benares ruler’s family, instead of the British, for preserving the heritage site ahead of a UNESCO team’s visit.
What’s in Today’s Article?
- About Sarnath (Introduction, Historical Significance, Key Monuments & Structures)
- News Summary (Debate Over Historical Attribution, Summary of Recent Developments)
About Sarnath
- Located about 10 km from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, it is one of the most revered sites in the Buddhist world.
- It holds immense historical, cultural, and religious significance as the place where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.
- Known as the Dharmachakra Pravartana or Turning of the Wheel of Dharma, this event marked the formal beginning of the Buddhist Sangha (community).
Historical Significance
- Buddha’s First Sermon: Around 528 BCE, Buddha preached the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path here to his five ascetic disciples. This sermon became the foundational philosophy of Buddhism.
- Mauryan Patronage: Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE), after embracing Buddhism, visited Sarnath and commissioned several stupas, monasteries, and pillars. The famous Ashokan Lion Capital, India’s national emblem, was erected here.
- Medieval Flourishing: Over centuries, Sarnath grew into a vibrant monastic and educational hub. Numerous monasteries, stupas, and sculptures were added, especially under the Gupta dynasty (4th-6th century CE), which produced exquisite Buddhist art.
- Decline: With the decline of Buddhism in India (around the 12th century CE) and repeated invasions, Sarnath fell into ruin and was largely forgotten until rediscovery in the colonial era.
Key Monuments and Structures
- Dhamek Stupa:
- Built initially by Ashoka and later enlarged, this massive cylindrical stupa (43.6 meters high, 28 meters in diameter) marks the exact spot of Buddha’s first sermon.
- The lower portion is decorated with intricate floral and geometric patterns, characteristic of Gupta art.
- Chaukhandi Stupa:
- An early stupa commemorating the meeting between Buddha and his first disciples.
- Later, a Mughal-era pavilion was added to the top.
- Ashokan Pillar:
- The pillar, erected by Ashoka, bore the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka, now preserved in the Sarnath Archaeological Museum.
- The capital, with four lions back-to-back, is India’s National Emblem and also featured on Indian currency.
- Mulagandha Kuti Vihar:
- A modern monastery built by the Mahabodhi Society in 1931, it contains impressive frescoes depicting scenes from Buddha’s life.
- Monastic Ruins:
- The site contains remains of monasteries that once hosted thousands of monks, serving as a leading centre of Buddhist learning.
Debate Over Historical Attribution
- For decades, the mainstream narrative credited British officials such as Duncan and Mackenzie in 1798 and later archaeologists like Alexander Cunningham for discovering and preserving Sarnath.
- However, recent scholarship and archival records challenge this view, pointing to Jagat Singh’s excavation in 1787-88 as the actual turning point.
- His digging at the ancient mound unearthed Buddhist relics, shifting the perception of who deserves credit for uncovering Sarnath’s legacy.
- This change is not merely a matter of rewriting history; it reflects a broader attempt to decolonise India’s historical narratives and recognise indigenous agency in heritage preservation.
Background of the Case
- Jagat Singh, a descendant of Benares ruler Chait Singh, ordered excavation at Sarnath for construction purposes, which unexpectedly revealed Buddhist relics. Parts of these relics remain housed in the Asiatic Society in Kolkata.
- The existing plaque at Sarnath emphasises British-led excavations from 1798 onwards, overshadowing Singh’s contribution.
- Earlier this year, following a petition by Singh’s descendants, the ASI revised a separate plaque at the Dharmarajika Stupa, removing language that labelled him a “destroyer” of monuments.
- The new version acknowledged that the stupa came to light through his actions, highlighting the contested nature of colonial-era historical narratives.
Summary of Recent Developments
- The upcoming plaque revision at Sarnath comes as UNESCO evaluates India’s proposal to include the site in its World Heritage List.
- ASI’s New Decision: The corrected plaque will formally acknowledge Jagat Singh’s role in exposing Sarnath’s importance in 1787-88, predating British accounts by a decade.
- Research Support: Former National Museum Director B.R. Mani’s excavations have revealed evidence of Buddhist activity at Sarnath even before Emperor Ashoka, strengthening the case for recognising local contributions.
- Cultural Impact: Singh’s family has also requested the ASI to revise accompanying cultural notice boards to reflect the corrected history.
- Broader Context: India’s cultural diplomacy emphasises its Buddhist heritage globally. The revision of plaques aligns with this strategy, especially as South Asian tourists form a large segment of visitors to Sarnath.
- UNESCO Candidacy: Sarnath, long on UNESCO’s tentative list, is now a strong contender for inclusion, with the government keen to assert its cultural and historical primacy.
